NANOKU
: Nano Block + Otaku
Mobile App
#UX_Research #Service_Design #UXUI_Design
Best nanoblock customizing service for Kidult Mania
Team
Suyoung Kwon
Individual Study
Project Duration
Jan 2017 (3 Weeks)
Tools
Photoshop, Sketch, Flinto
My Role
User Research, Ideation, UX/UI Design
Overview
Kidult culture, which was the exclusive property of a few enthusiasts, is beginning to become popular culture, and the popularity of nano blocks is skyrocketing. Wherever you go, you can easily find a store where nano blocks are piled up. As interest in nano blocks grows, the public is increasingly looking for unique nanoblock models rather than common figures.
Therefore, I propose a service that allows you to easily find the necessary blocks and customize the nano blocks according to your taste.
Background
Nowadays, children, couples, and kidults were fascinated by nano block. Nano block dominates subway shops in Seoul, and you can often see people assembling nano blocks in the cafe. Nano block is a kind of brick toy that makes a shape by stacking blocks. The attractiveness of being able to complete assembly in a short time of 30 minutes and a low price of less than $20 has captivated Koreans of all ages.
Design Process
Trend / Market Research
Kidult Market
Kidult is a combination of Kid and Adult, which means “Child" and “Adult." The kidult market grows by 20-30% every year and is in the spotlight as a blue ocean. This is because kidult culture has gone beyond fashion and has established itself as a “Positive hobby” and “Latest consumption trend”. Media and market experts predict that the kidult market will continue to grow in the future as the general public's interest is also increasing as Kidults and Kidult products are exposed to mass media due to the change in perception of Kidult.
Nanoblock Market
Recently, most of the shopping districts of Seoul subway stations are selling nano blocks. In order to buy nano blocks starting at $3, the 20s and 30s, as well as middle-aged people, are busy choosing their favorite products. According to the Gmarket, an online shopping mall, nano block sales jumped more than 10 times in 2015 from the same period last year. It is mainly purchased by 30s and 40s male, but it has recently spread to women in their 20s, attracting attention as a representative product of kidult culture. In TV entertainment, celebrities often spend time with nano blocks, and many companies are also using it for marketing strategy.
Kwon Yoo-jin (17)
All of my friends boast of taking pictures of nanoblock made at school. I feel good when I collect it because it's pretty and cute."
Ko Eun-jung (24)
“Nanoblock seems to be in fashion these days. All of my friends around me have at least one or two. Sometimes I sit in a cafe with my friends and make it for 30 minutes.”
Mr. Yoon (25)
“I bought 10 nanoblock sets. There are many friends who collect nanoblocks, so I gave them as gifts and bought them to decorate my room."
Ms. Ryu (27)
“I have a sense of accomplishment in making something complete without spending a long time and joy in making something pretty with my hands. It's a simple way to relieve stress.”
Needs Research
WOM Analysis
However, the current nano blocks on the market are supposed to make only the same finished product according to a fixed method, and if even one piece is lost, it affects the overall shape. Many customers wanted to create their own unique nano block, and some of them wanted to buy only the parts they lost. In addition, even though there are many nano block vendors, customers are using secondhand transactions because they have not been able to find the model they want. Sometimes, they are more stressed out by purchasing models that do not fit their skills.
🔭
There is a need for a service that can freely search for necessary nanoblocks.
🌈
Users need a service that allows them to customize nanoblocks to personal taste.
🎓
Users need a service that allows them to choose a model that fits their individual capabilities.
So, I propose a service where users can customize and purchase whatever nano blocks they want. Through this service, users can easily find the parts they need and create their own unique models.
Users can change the color set in the existing model to the color they want.
It can satisfy the needs of users who want to create their own special nanoblocks.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Before entering the UI design phase, I created the rough wireframes to make my ideas more concrete. I added features and functionality to the initial idea and questioned our understanding of the idea itself.
👇 Please click on the following image to expand it.
Final Design
What is NANOKU?
Color & Typeface
The main color of the block model exposed on the main screen is used as the main color of the screen because the key feature of Nanoku is that the user can colorize the nanoblock model. Therefore, a colorful screen is produced for each model, and I used white as the background color to balance the color of the entire app. In addition, I have built a visual identity that implies the function of the application by using a stroke with three point colors.
Thank You!
